ATHENS, Ohio (Nov. 17, 2005) -- Ohio University President Roderick McDavis met with the local media on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at Cutler Hall to update them on the university's latest news and initiatives.

McDavis reminded the media that Ohio University's Marching 110 will be the lead band in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The band is one of only two college bands performing in the parade. He said a 90-second performance from the Marching 110 will be aired on NBC at 10 a.m. The band last played in the Macy's parade in 2000. The parade is expected to attract more than 60 million TV viewers and more than 2.5 million spectators. The Bobcats were chosen to perform from a pool of more than 500 bands.

He said he was proud of the fact that Ohio University was one of only five universities that received an "A" grade from the Black Coaches Association in response to their search for a head football coach. Ohio was also one of two schools to receive a perfect grade in the study. The study evaluated the school's hiring process on five criteria. Communication, hiring and search/committee, candidates who were interviewed, working within a reasonable time and affirmative action were the areas examined. McDavis applauded outgoing Vice President for University Advancement Leonard Raley for his fine work in chairing the search committee that hired ex-Nebraska head coach Frank Solich in December 2004

The president also wished the Ohio women's volleyball team luck in the upcoming Mid-American Conference Tournament in Toledo. Last week, the team became the third in conference history to go undefeated in regular season play for two consecutive seasons. Head Coach Geoff Carlston has a 53-1 record vs. MAC foes during his three years at the helm. The team boasts a 3.051 average grade-point average. The MAC Tournament's quarterfinals begin Friday, Nov. 18, at the Toledo SeaGate Convention Center.

McDavis also acknowledged the fact that Ohio University's Visual Communications students recently won 20 of the 86 awards given out at the 60th annual College Photographer of the Year competition in Missouri. No other Ohio school won an award at the photography competition, the oldest of its kind. Ohio had the most international competition awards and tied the Brooks Institute of Photography for the highest number of first-place awards.